‘My mam cried, broken-hearted’: elderly Sunderland fans decry ticketing and communication | OneFootball

Sunderland’s ticketing row has intensified after elderly supporters detailed lost seats, failed payments and poor communication.

According to Sunderland Echo, complaints have spanned two seasons, with fan group Red and White Army criticising limited engagement and the refusal to pause renewal deadlines.

89-year-old season-ticket holder Pat Watt and her daughter, Alison Berry, say their seats vanished despite setting up a direct debit on 4 April. They later discovered the seats had been resold on 14 April due to a claimed payment failure, even though debits were due in May, and say they received no warning. Replacement seats were initially in an exposed front row and then left the pair seven rows apart.

Mrs Watt has major mobility problems after four bone breaks and a titanium rod from knee to hip, and communication has been sparse despite repeated contact attempts. They also report higher costs.

Another case centres on 90-year-old Sylvia Pickard, who moved to the Black Cats Bar five years ago. After the shift to 76 Yards, prices rose from £790 to about £2,300. Attempts to return to general admission were rejected, with an administrator advising them to give up the corporate ticket and join a waiting list. They also note an over-85s free-season-ticket policy after three years that excludes corporate packages, leaving Ms Pickard paying £2,000-plus. Wider accounts cite issues across the stadium. New cases are emerging daily as the club navigates life back in the Premier League, and Sunderland have been approached for comment.

Source: Sunderland Echo